Oliver Darley is a singer and actor. After training at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, and performing with the Royal Shakespeare Company, his 2002 debut album as a singer was produced by Arif Mardin, and featured Aretha Franklin's acclaimed rhythm section, comprising Bernard Purdie, Cornell Dupree, and David "Fathead" Newman, with The Impressions performing on one track. Jools Holland also appears on the album. A track from the album, "Rescue Me", was used as the opening theme for the BBC TV series Rescue me.